Rafael Nadal out 4-6 weeks with stress fracture in rib

MADRID — Rafael Nadal will likely be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks due to a rib damage, placing his preparations for the French Open, which is in two months, in jeopardy.

Nadal stated Tuesday he had an examination after arriving in Spain from the US, and outcomes confirmed he has a stress fracture on considered one of his left ribs.

He sustained the damage within the semifinals at Indian Wells in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal lost in the final to Taylor Fritz in two units Sunday.

“This isn’t excellent news and I did not count on it,” Nadal wrote on Twitter. “I am devastated and unhappy as a result of it comes after an important begin to the season.”

Nadal was 20-Zero to start the season, together with profitable the Australian Open, earlier than shedding to Fritz 6-3, 7-6 (5) on the hard-court event in California. It was the third-best begin to a season since 1990 on the ATP Tour. Nadal additionally gained titles in Melbourne and Acapulco.

“I used to be attending to an important a part of the season feeling properly and with good outcomes,” Nadal stated. “However properly, I’ve at all times had this combating spirit and what I will do is be affected person and work arduous after recovering.”

Nadal, 35, was handled by a coach throughout the ultimate in opposition to Fritz and afterward stated the issue started the evening earlier than throughout his semifinal in opposition to Alcaraz.

Nadal had stated he was unsure what precisely brought about the discomfort, saying it was “painful” and “very uncomfortable” when he tried to breathe.

Nadal’s profitable streak to start 2022 included his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title on the Australian Open in January.

The third-ranked Nadal will attempt to win a record-extending 14th French Open title at Roland Garros. He misplaced to eventual champion Novak Djokovic within the semifinals of final yr’s event in Paris.

Nadal’s participation on the Madrid Open on the finish of April will seemingly rely upon how his restoration progresses. He’s a five-time champion in Madrid. He isn’t prone to play within the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open subsequent month.

Nadal had already determined to skip this week’s event in Florida and head dwelling to Spain to organize for the clay-court season.